Frequently Asked Questions on Peripheral Neuropathy

The lights are LEDs and therefore they generate very little warmth. Patient’s will sometimes say that they feel their feet warming up but that is a result of an increase in blood flow through the small blood vessels of the tissues. By being able to get blood to flow through the small blood vessels we are able to get oxygen and nutrients to where the nerve endings are and help to grow them.

The treatments are very comfortable as you will be seated in a nice chair and taken good care of. There are no needles, shock waves or other therapies that can be uncomfortable or painful. We sometimes have to wake patients when their treatment is over.

Treatments are not covered by Blue Cross or Alberta Health Care but if there is a Chiropractic component to your care (each case is different and may or may not depending on your exam findings) then Alberta Health Care will cover $25 per treatment. Each insurance policy is different so we will give you the necessary paperwork for you to check with them.

Each treatment lasts between 25 and 45 minutes depending on the severity of your neuropathy. Care plans are either 7 or 10 treatments, again this depends on the severity of your condition. We prefer to do 3 treatments per week until the completion of your plan but in some cases we can do twice per week.

Yes you can! In fact, for patients who are from out of town, we can provide a tailored treatment plan to be completed in one week.

Between 80 - 85% of our patients show improvement in their pre and post treatment exam scores. During the exam process we do a “Neuro Foot Exam” which gives us a score out of 74; the lower the score the worse your feet are. In most cases we see at least a doubling of the patient’s score. The scores correlate to Mild, Moderate, Severe, or Extreme damage to the nerve endings. For example if your rating is “Severe” we would hope for your feet to improve to a “Mild” by the end of treatment.

Infra-red light is light from outside the visible spectrum of light. You can think of it like a dog whistle that you can’t hear but it still makes a noise for your dog, the light is not visible but it’s still there. These rays of light have been shown to create vasodilation (the opening up of blood vessels) which allows oxygen to be transported to the tissue where damaged nerve endings are.

Many patients notice changes within the first few weeks of consistent neuropathy treatment, depending on the severity and cause of their nerve damage. “Improvement” can look different for everyone. Some may experience less tingling or burning pain, others may have stronger balance or better sleep, and some may even feel their feet on the floor again. 

Infrared light therapy for neuropathy is non-invasive and considered very safe. Most patients experience no side effects. Occasionally, mild warmth, temporary redness, or light tingling may occur after a session; these are signs that circulation is improving. There’s no downtime, medication, or risk of tissue damage when performed by trained professionals.

Yes, our therapy protocols are effective for many forms of peripheral neuropathy, including diabetic, chemotherapy-induced, idiopathic (unknown cause), and injury-related cases. Infrared therapy helps stimulate nerve regeneration, reduce inflammation, and increase oxygen flow, supporting recovery regardless of the cause of the nerve damage.

Not at all. Infrared and low-level light therapy are gentle, pain-free treatments. You may feel a mild warmth or soothing tingling during the session, but there’s no pain, needles, or discomfort involved.

While neuropathy therapy can significantly improve nerve function, pairing it with balanced nutrition, regular low-impact exercise, and proper hydration helps the body heal faster. If you have diabetes, maintaining stable blood sugar levels is essential to protect nerve health and support long-term results.

Many patients enjoy lasting relief after completing their neuropathy treatment program, especially when they continue healthy lifestyle habits. However, since nerve damage can recur or progress with certain conditions, occasional maintenance sessions may be recommended to keep symptoms under control and prevent regression.

Some patients experience mild sensitivity or tingling early on as nerves begin to reactivate. This is temporary and often a positive sign that the body is responding.

Missing an occasional session won’t reverse progress, but long gaps can slow results. If you fall off schedule, contact the clinic to adjust your plan and keep your progress on track.

Infrared and light-based therapies are generally safe for patients with most medical devices. However, if you have a pacemaker, insulin pump, or metal implant, let your practitioner know before beginning neuropathy treatment so they can tailor your plan for maximum safety.

Yes, caregivers or family members are welcome to accompany you during neuropathy treatment sessions for comfort or support.